Status of Using Lower Extremity Orthoses in Patients with Chronic Stroke and Traumatic Brain Injury

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Lower extremity orthoses are important in the rehabilitation of the patients with stroke and traumatic brain injury. But it is unknown how much they are used in the social activity after the discharge from the hospital. This study was carried out to investigate the status of using orthosis in social activity and complaints about orthosis. METHOD: The questionnaires were given to 42 cases with stroke and 17 cases with traumatic brain injury. RESULTS: The user of lower extremity orthosis in social activity were 55.9%, and the causes of disuse were patient's poor condition, improved gait pattern, inappropriate design and defect of orthosis, and patient's refusal. The degree of satisfaction with orthosis for comfort, external appearance and weight were 79.3%, 86.2%, and 72.4%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Physiatrists should give more attention in orthosis at follow-up of patients with stroke and traumatic brain injury and make efforts to improve function and external appearance of orthosis.